12 mins read ·
12 questions
Explain drug specificity, selectivity, structure–activity relationships and stereoselectivity.
10 mins read ·
15 questions
Describe the four receptor superfamilies (ligand-gated ion channels, G protein-coupled receptors, kinase-linked receptors, nuclear receptors): structure, time scale of response and a prototype example of each.
10 mins read ·
17 questions
Explain the G-protein cycle and the main effector pathways: Gs/Gi–adenylyl cyclase–cAMP–protein kinase A; Gq–phospholipase C–IP₃/DAG–Ca²⁺–protein kinase C; direct regulation of ion channels.
11 mins read ·
14 questions
Describe the second messengers (cAMP, cGMP, IP₅, DAG, Ca²⁺, nitric oxide) and explain signal amplification.
9 mins read ·
14 questions
Apply the law of mass action and occupancy theory (Hill–Langmuir equation) to relate drug concentration to receptor occupancy.
9 mins read ·
13 questions
Define and distinguish affinity (KA/Kd), efficacy (intrinsic activity), potency (EC₅₀) and maximal effect (Emax).
12 mins read ·
9 questions
Construct and interpret graded concentration–response curves (arithmetic and log scale) and quantal dose–response curves (ED₅₀, TD₅₀, LD₅₀, therapeutic index, margin of safety).
12 mins read ·
14 questions
Distinguish full agonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists and neutral antagonists; explain constitutive receptor activity.
10 mins read ·
11 questions
Explain spare receptors (receptor reserve) and their effect on agonist potency and on the action of irreversible antagonists.
11 mins read ·
14 questions
Classify antagonism: reversible competitive, irreversible (non-equilibrium) competitive, non-competitive, allosteric, chemical, pharmacokinetic and physiological (functional), with an example of each.
11 mins read ·
14 questions
Predict the effect of each type of antagonist on an agonist concentration–response curve (parallel rightward shift versus depression of the maximum).
12 mins read ·
9 questions
Explain the behaviour of a partial agonist given alone and in the presence of a full agonist.